Big Ten has stolen SEC mojo, and isn't about to give it back | Opinion

It’s undeniable now, a straight gangster move in this Wild, Wild West era of college sports.

The Big Ten has stolen the SEC mojo. 

Better teams, better players, better stories. Better present — and more potentially damning — better future. 

“The playing field has been leveled out as far as finances and things like that,” said Michigan basketball coach Dusty May, whose team is one of two from the Big Ten to advance to Saturday’s Final Four.

But don’t get stuck on basketball, where the Big Ten hasn’t won a national championship since 2000 — and currently has two more teams alive in the NCAA Tournament than does the SEC. Which has none.

This is paradigm change five years in the making, running parallel with the explosion of NIL and free player movement. This is the Big Ten flexing, and the SEC retreating. 

Because now everyone can pay players. Now the Big Ten’s massive and influential alumni bases have skin in the game.

Now it’s no longer about where the best (insert your sport) is played, it’s who has the most money. As important: the Big Ten’s change in personality and philosophy.

Somewhere, at some point, the Big Ten got fed up with playing little brother to the SEC. The gloves came off, and the conference of Legends and Leaders morphed into Bandits and Bounty Hunters.  

From strumming a guitar on the stairs for the lonely and bored at the sorority party, to doing keg stands in the middle of the quad at the impromptu frat party.

This all began with the Alliance built by former commissioner Kevin Warren, who held hands with the ACC and the (former) Pac-12 in solidarity against the SEC, whole brandishing an expansion knife behind the Pac-12’s back.

It should come as no surprise that a year after the Big Ten did the Pac-12 dirty and stole USC and UCLA (and later Oregon and Washington), Michigan won its first national title in football since 1997.

It wasn’t that Michigan won, it’s how it unfolded with a no-name analyst concocting an illegal scouting scheme and sucking the oxygen from a championship run built — in no small part — with some key additions from this new fangled contraption called the transfer portal. 

A scheme with such audacity, Big Ten coaches had to leak detailed information to the media (and then later give it directly to the Big Ten) before the conference took a stand. But the train was long down the tracks by the time then-new commissioner Tony Petitti stepped in with a meek three-game suspension for coach Jim Harbaugh — his second of the season, but first for this specific violation.

In other words, tell me you’re the SEC without telling me you’re the SEC.

A year later, Ohio State coach Ryan Day — on the verge of losing the best job in college football — threw a truckload of cash at the best defensive player in the SEC (Caleb Downs), the best running back in the SEC (Quinshon Judkins), an All-SEC center (Seth McLaughlin), and a Big 12 championship quarterback (Will Howard) as part of a $20 million roster that still couldn’t beat Michigan — but beat the brakes off everyone in the College Football Playoff. 

Then came Indiana, the lovable, all-time football loser, who changed everything. And even that began with some newfound Big Ten chutzpah, when IU athletic director Scott Dolson called James Madison coach Curt Cignetti after their in-person interview — just as Cignetti had told his wife he was going to stay at JMU — and said, “Congratulations, you’re the Indiana coach.”

And didn’t give Cignetti — now the hottest coach in college football — a chance to say no. Which is sort of like the Big Ten and its takeover of all things college sports. 

Kill it, then eat it. 

Even missteps off the field have been overshadowed by other bold and brash moves. While Petitti has had a couple of faux pas (hello, capital investment), his unwavering stance on the CFP is beginning to show cracks in the SEC armor. 

Georgia coach Kirby Smart and Tennessee coach Josh Heupel have embraced the Big Ten’s idea of a 20- or 24-team CFP, while their own commissioner (Greg Sankey) is in a very public game of chicken with the Petitti over the future format of the billion-dollar postseason.

Sankey wants 16 teams, Petitti wants 20 or 24 teams. It’s never a good sign when the SEC’s most high-profile coach — and arguably the game’s best coach — sides with the Big Ten.

The Big Ten already has the better media rights deal, and delivers more money to a majority of its member institutions (not all of the newbies) than the SEC. The Big Ten has the bigger television markets, and the ability — though not yet realized — to dominate ratings.  

There’s the possibility of an all-Big Ten final in the NCAA Tournament, which hasn’t happened since the Big 12 did it in 1988. If you think that’s crazy, hold on to your tall glass of sweet tea. 

For the love of all things Ess Eee See, the Big Ten currently has the No. 1 ranked team in college baseball — a sport the Big Ten didn’t give two flips about prior to expansion. 

Before, that is, beginning this cutthroat philosophy of kill then eat.

About the same time May's Wolverines advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 2018, LSU was announcing the return hire of former disgraced coach Will Wade. The school trumpeted the move on social media by comparing Wade ― the multi-level NCAA cheater ― to Napoleon, and calling him, "General."  

"We're coming back to try to hang a banner, win a national championship," Wade said, "Or I'm going to be the first coach fired from the same school twice."

Tell me you’ve stolen the SEC’s mojo without telling me. 

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.     

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big 10 now strongest and best conference in college sports. Sorry, SEC

Celtics vs. Hawks player grades: turnovers and missed free throws doom Boston

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 30: Luka Garza #52 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 30, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Blame the back-to-back games on the road. Blame the 15 turnovers. Blame the eight missed free throws. They all played a part in Boston’s 112-102 loss in Atlanta Monday night.

Despite all the ways that the Celtics shot themselves in the foot, there’s still a chance that Atlanta and Boston could meet in the first round of the playoffs. Joe Mazzulla is going to have to figure out how to neutralize the Hawks’ athleticism and ball pressure. In both regular season losses, they were able to force TOs and get hot from 3.

The Celtics continue to be a steady +650 to raise Banner 19 with our friends at FanDuel and the favorite to rep the Eastern Conference in the 2026 NBA Finals.

Jaylen Brown

40 minutes, 29 points (3-9 from 3, 8-14 from the free throw line, 9-29 from the field), 10 rebounds, 9 assists, one steal, -5

Just as he did against Oklahoma City last Wednesday, JB was focused on attacking the rim and/or getting to the line. After being ejected in San Antonio, Brown has seemingly been on a mission to drive, draw more fouls, and get to the free throw line.

And while I agree that he doesn’t get the same whistle that grifters like Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander get despite his more physical play, his indictment of NBA officiating seems to be getting in the way of his overall MVP-level game.

Heading into Atlanta, the hometown kid was averaging 11.5 free throws and 3.7 turnovers per game. Against the Hawks, he had 14 FTAs and six turnovers. Don’t be fooled by the near triple-double; this game is not going on the MVP tape.

Grade: C

Jordan Walsh

31 minutes, 8 points (1-4 from 3, 3-4 from the free throw line, 2-5 from the field), 4 rebounds, one assist, one turnover, 2 steals, one block, +0

After starting nineteen games in November and December, Walsh went back to the bench and eventually fell out of the rotation. However, he’s started the last two games and has shown why he got the nod earlier in the year.

If the strategy to starting Hauser with DWhite and the Jays is that he spaces the floor for the stars, Walsh on the other hand can be the primary defender of the opposing team’s best player and relieve Tatum and Brown of those duties. He handled those defensive duties well, but like the rest of his teammates, couldn’t hit his open looks.

Grade:

Luka Garza

28 minutes, 20 points (2-3 from 3, 2-2 from the free throw line, 8-9 from the field), 9 rebounds, one assist, one block, +6

Starting for Neemias Queta, Garza was a revelation as the only everyday big man available against the Hawks. In a word, he was awesome. I joke in the CelticsBlog Slack that whenever Garza enters the game, I think about that scene in Hoosiers when Norman Dale asks Strap to enter the game. Straps says a prayer and goes on to dominate the second half.

Garza’s only miss on the night was a three-pointer, but otherwise, he hit everything with his relentless work on the offensive glass and filling the lane off pick-and-rolls and transition.

Grade: A+

Derrick White

36 minutes, 7 points (1-6 from 3, 3-12 from the field), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, one turnover, one steal, 2 blocks, -8

White’s slump has been well documented since we started these players’ grades and tonight, he’ll again get below average grade. After taking Sunday night off in Charlotte, White couldn’t get into a groove. He’s still filling the box score, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, but he’ll need to start hitting some shots if Boston expects to do anything in the playoffs.

Grade: C-

Baylor Scheierman

26 minutes, 3 points (1-4 from 3, 1-4 from the field), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, one turnover, one steal, -3

Scheierman was thrown a couple of grenades that he had to chuck at the rim, but for the most part, he was a solid contributor on defense and a ball mover on offense.

Grade: B

Payton Pritchard

25 minutes, 16 points (4-6 from 3, 6-14 from the field), 2 rebounds, one turnover, -19

On the second night of a back-to-back, Pritchard didn’t have his lift on his mid-range jumper. Combine that with Atlanta’s strong perimeter defenders and PP was just 2-8 inside the arc. A couple of those shots should have resulted in free throws though.

Grade: B

Sam Hauser

21 minutes, 7 points (1-3 from 3, 2-2 from the free throw line, 2-5 from the field), 3 rebounds, one turnover, -3

After starting the game on the bench, Hauser started in the second half for Baylor Scheierman. Earlier in the game, he was a little aggressive off the dribble, so maybe Mazzulla saw something and wanted that scoring punch. That didn’t exactly materialize and Scheierman got the bulk of those shooter minutes instead.

Grade: C

Hugo Gonzalez

13 minutes, 5 points (1-2 from 3, 2-4 from the field), 4 rebounds, 2 turnovers, -4

The rookie had a game filled with rookie mistakes. In the first quarter, he missed a defensive switch that led to a quick Mazzulla timeout, turned the ball over twice on a dribble hand off and a drive-and-kick, and didn’t stay connected on a drive. After halftime, his second half stint was closer to what we’re accustomed with and a corner three helped stem the tide late in the third.

Grade: C+

Amari Williams

13 minutes, 4 points (2-2 from the free throw line, 1-2 from the field), 7 rebounds, one assist, one tunover, one steal, one block, -8

With Queta and Nikola Vucevic out, the rookie was called upon to be the seccond unit center. In the G League, Williams averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks in 30 minutes a night. Ron Harper Jr. grabs the headlines with his outstanding play as a two-way call-up, but the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has been a monster in Maine.

We saw some of that on Monday night. He’s solid in his 6’11 frame and is lowkey one of the Celtics’ best prospects moving forward.

Grade: A-

Charles Bassey

6 minutes, 3 points (1-2 from the free throw line, 1-1 from the field), 2 rebounds, one turnover, 2 blocks, -6

Bassey is back with Boston on a second consecutive 1o-day contract and we saw some flashes of what made him such an intriguing prospect in Summer League. The Celtics ultimately didn’t sign him and he’s had cups of coffee in Memphis and Philadelphia this season.

He had back-to-back blocks in the 2nd and with his deal ending on Friday, those could be the highlight of his career in Boston.

Grade: A

Inactives: Neemias Queta, Jayson Tatum, Nikola Vucevic

The quarter that used to break teams is now breaking the Warriors

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 23: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the second quarter of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on March 23, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Steve Kerr called it a “pattern” after Sunday night’s loss in Denver. I’m guessing he was being diplomatic. What’s happening to the Warriors in the third quarter this season is a “pattern” in the same way that Michael Myers has a pattern of hunting down the residents of Haddonfield on a recurring basis. It’s more of a haunting curse, 12 minutes of true horror.

Golden State lost to the Nuggets 116–93 in their final game of March, but the score barely tells the story. They walked into halftime up 53–46, playing the kind of disciplined, connected basketball that travels against real teams. Then the third quarter arrived and Denver bodied them 40–21. That run knocked the air out of Golden State’s sails and effectively ended the game.

And that part is the problem; not just that it happened, but that it keeps happening.

Per NBA.com, over the last ten games, the Warriors have posted a –21.9 net rating in the third quarter. Their defensive rating in those minutes is 128, a number that doesn’t belong anywhere near a team trying to hold onto a playoff spot.Everything that can go wrong is going wrong at once.

In that timespan, they’re giving up 7.5 points off turnovers in those third quarters, bad enough for dead last in the league. Second-chance points allowed? Fourth worst. Opponents fast break points? Third worst. Opponents’ points in the paint? Fourth worst.

And when you zoom in, the games start to blur together in a way that feels less like a slump and more like a script. Here’s the 3rd quarter post mortem from a handful of games over their last 10 where their opponents went ham:

  • Atlanta, 39–20.
  • New York, 38–26.
  • Washington, 34–20.
  • Detroit, 30–23.

Over the last five games alone, the Warriors own a –33.3 net rating in the third quarter. Daaaamn.

What makes it hit deeper is the memory of what this quarter used to be. There was a time when halftime leads against Golden State felt temporary, even when they were big. JJ Redick once talked about sitting in a locker room up 20 and feeling uneasy. Not because of what had happened, but because of what was coming.

The third quarter wasn’t just where the Warriors pulled away. Rather, it was where they made teams understand the game was over.

Klay Thompson scoring 37 in a quarter.
Steph Curry outscoring an entire Pelicans team by himself.
Four seasons of a +16.7 third-quarter net rating that made even the 73-win dominance feel explainable.

They went beyond winning the minutes; they broke teams in them with sheer joy and execution.

Now the numbers tell the opposite story. Golden State sits at a –1.8 third-quarter net rating on the season, 18th in the league, on a team that is exactly neutral overall. The obvious explanation is also the incomplete one. Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Moses Moody have their knees encased in carbonite. The depth that used to carry the system through all 48 minutes has thinned out to the point where the third quarter asks for something the roster can’t consistently give.

The dynasty version of this team spent two quarters applying pressure and then made you pay for it when your legs went. This version absorbs that pressure and runs out of answers when the game tightens. Kerr sees it. But there are seven games left, and the math hasn’t closed yet. If this team is going to extend its season at all, it won’t come from rediscovering who they used to be. It’ll come from surviving the stretch that keeps ending them.The third quarter used to reveal the Warriors at their most inevitable. Now it’s where everything unravels.

With some health and some resilience, they’ll be able to go find new ways of third quarter balling. I think?

Player Grades: Lakers vs. Wizards

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 30: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 30, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

After a long season, one of the fun subplots to close the season has been the unexpected LeBron-Bronny minutes over the last week.

Once purely ceremonial, Bronny has earned his time with decent performances in his recent outings. It seems to have reenergized LeBron during stretches of the game when he could wain and it’s given fans a chance to root on a young player who is showing potential.

And most importantly, those lineups have been good!

Once Marcus Smart returns, Bronny will fall back out of the lineup. And, admittedly, this has been at least partially possible because the Lakers played three of the worst teams in the league during this span. But it’s still allowed Bronny to show his development and earn the coaching staff’s trust.

So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

LeBron James

33 minutes, 21 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 8-16 FG, 1-3 3PT, 4-6 FT, +25

LeBron was feeling awfully spry in this one as he was dunking everything. The beautiful irony of it all coming after he missed the easiest dunk of the night was great too.

Grade: A

Rui Hachimura

26 minutes, 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 fouls, 6-10 FG, 1-3 3PT, 1-2 FT, +9

A nice game from Rui, who had not scored in double figures since mid-March against the Bulls.

Grade: A-

Deandre Ayton

22 minutes, 12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 2 turnovers, 5-5 FG, 2-2 FT, +9

Overshadowed a bit by Jaxson Hayes’ big night, Ayton was also perfect from the field. After being a weakness entering the playoffs last year, could the center position actually by a strength enter this postseason?

Grade: B+

Jake LaRavia

28 minutes, 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 3 fouls, 2-3 FG, +23

As much as LaRavia’s offense has fallen off a cliff, he’s still seeing regular minutes because of his effort defensively, which hasn’t been praised enough, including from myself.

Grade: B

Austin Reaves

27 minutes, 19 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 5 turnovers, 4-11 FG, 0-4 3PT, 11-12 FT, +6

This was a passing display from Reaves, who moved relatively seamlessly into the lead ballhandler role with Luka out.

Grade: A-

Luke Kennard

23 minutes, 19 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 7-10 FG, 4-5 3PT, 1-1 FT, +20

While Austin filled the playmaking void left by Luka, Luke was one of the players who stepped up to fill the scoring void. This was the most confident he looked as a scorer since joining the team.

Grade: A+

Jarred Vanderbilt

23 minutes, 4 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-4 FT, +5

Vando did what Vando does in this game by being active on the boards, creating a bit of havoc defensively and missing an open corner 3-pointer.

Grade: B+

Bronny James

26 minutes, 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 2-10 FG, 0-5 3PT, 2-2 FT, +4

I think we’ve officially reached the point where Bronny James is better than Dalton Knecht, an insane thing that no one would have believed in Nov., 2024.

Grade: B-

Jaxson Hayes

20 minutes, 19 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 foul, 8-8 FG, 1-1 3PT, 2-3 FT, +18

Hayes is really shining as the playoffs approach. After a 20-10 game in Indiana, he flirted with the same again off the bench in this one. The Wizards’ frontcourt was also atrocious. I wonder if a talented big man could have a big scoring night against them.

Grade: A+

Drew Timme, Dalton Knecht, Kobe Bufkin

Pour one out for Dalton Knecht, who very well may be the sixth or seventh guard on the depth chart.

JJ Redick

Redick is coaching the hell out of this team right now. They’re clicking on all cylinders offensively and locking teams down defensively. He’s pushing the right buttons with the rotation.

There has been a lot of talk about the minutes the big three are playing, but they’re going to get a full week off before the playoffs, so I don’t think that’ll matter as much as fans might think.

Monday’s DNPs: Maxi Kleber

Monday’s inactives: Luka Dončić, Marcus Smart, Nick Smith Jr., Adou Thiero, Chris Manon

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

LeBron James triple-double leads Luka Doncic-less Lakers to win over Wizards

The red-hot Los Angeles Lakers barely skipped a beat without the presence of Luka Doncic. LeBron James made sure of it.

With Doncic out of the lineup Monday to serve his one-game suspension after receiving his 16th technical foul of the season against the Brooklyn Nets on March 27, James powered the Lakers to a 120-101 win over the Washington Wizards behind his 21-point triple-double at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, March 30.

James had 12 assists and 10 rebounds to go along with his 20-ball, and LA clicked offensively with six players scoring in double figures. Austin Reaves, Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes each put up 19 points — with Reaves adding nine assists — while Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton scored 14 and 12, respectively as the Lakers cruised to their third straight victory and their 15th in their last 17 games.

It was also the 1,228th win of James' career, including playoffs, tying yet another Kareem Abdul-Jabbar record for most all-time.

"He’s very praiseworthy," head coach JJ Redick told reporters postgame. "I don't know what else to say about him. At this point. I've tried to give every version of the same soliloquy on his longevity."

The one thing the Lakers didn't do on Monday was clinch a playoff spot or the Pacific Division, which they entered the day with an opportunity to do. LA took care of their end with a win over Washington, but they also needed a loss by the Phoenix Suns, who pulled away from the Memphis Grizzlies in fourth quarter for a 131-105 win.

The Lakers host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, March 31, when they'll have a shot to win 50 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James' triple-double leads Lakers to win without Luka Doncic

Corbin Carroll has 4 RBIs, Diamondbacks ruin Justin Verlander's return to Tigers in 9-6 win

PHOENIX (AP) — Corbin Carroll hit a three-run homer and had four RBIs, Michael Soroka became the fourth pitcher in Arizona history to throw an immaculate inning and the Diamondbacks roughed up three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander in his return to the Detroit Tigers during a 9-6 victory Monday night.

The Diamondbacks won their home opener after getting swept at Dodger Stadium in their first series of the season.

The 28-year-old Soroka (1-0) gave up four hits over five scoreless innings — and the fifth was a gem. The right-hander struck out Javier Báez, Kerry Carpenter and Gleyber Torres on nine straight pitches, blowing a 95 mph fastball past Torres on the ninth one to tie a career high with 10 strikeouts.

The 43-year-old Verlander gave up five runs on six hits and two walks over 3 2/3 innings. The big blow came in the second when Carroll connected for his first homer of the season.

Verlander (0-1) began his 21st big league season after returning to the Tigers in February on a $13 million, one-year deal. The nine-time All-Star spent the first 12 1/2 seasons of his career in Detroit before being traded to the Astros in 2017.

The Diamondbacks built an 8-0 lead after five innings but the Tigers used a six-run seventh to make a big dent in the deficit. Joe Ross gave up six runs while getting just two outs. Ryan Thompson entered and allowed all three batters he faced to reach base — while also being called for two balks — before Juan Morillo got Parker Meadows to ground out with the bases loaded to end the inning.

Ildemaro Vargas hit a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh to push the D-backs ahead 9-6. Paul Sewald earned his first save.

Detroit's Colt Keith had two doubles, including one that scored two runs.

The Diamondbacks send RHP Brandon Pfaadt to the mound Tuesday while the Tigers counter with RHP Casey Mize. Both pitchers are making their first start of the season.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

Timberwolves 124, Mavericks 94: Ayo you everything, Dosumnu how good you are already….

DALLAS, TX - MARCH 30: Ayo Dosunmu #13 of the Minnesota Timberwolves drives to the basket during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 30, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – FEBRUARY 20: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves handles the ball against Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Dallas Mavericks in the third quarter at Target Center on February 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Mavericks 122-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images

I want to give a very quick shout-out to Jack Borman, who dealt with so many titles like this one and was a great sport through all of them. Everyone tag him with screenshots of this. @jrborman13 on Twitter

It feels like blowout wins have been few and far between this year. I can’t actually speak to the truth of that statement, as much as I can speak to the “Vibes ™” but it just feels like it’s been an exhaustingly difficult year to be a Minnesota Timberwolves fan or reporter or whatever else you all out there might be.

The energy of this team was truly in the gutter at different points this year. Firing Chris Finch felt like the starting point for a mob of angry Twitterites, a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade apparently nearly happened (or it was an insider trading scandal, que sera…), and the Wolves started their deadline by trading a first-round pick swap to get out of the luxury tax.

But tonight is the type of night where we remember that moments do not define a season as much as the sheer inevitability of time does.

Chris Finch has found his way back to who he was — even if it still includes too much of Mike Conley. Giannis and the NBPA are engaging the Milwaukee Bucks, not the Minnesota Timberwolves. Most importantly, however, the Wolves’ deadline did not end with a salary dump.

It’s hard to overstate just how much Ayo Dosumnu has changed the makeup of the Timberwolves rotation and roster outlook.

On a night without Jaden McDaniels, Dosumnu contributed a triple-double. During a stretch without Anthony Edwards, it was Ayo who was frequently holding the scoring load.

Julius Randle is Julius Randle. Anthony Edwards is Anthony Edwards. Rudy Gobert is Rudy Gobert. Ayo is none of them, but he provides something that the Wolves roster had suddenly become fully devoid of: malleability.

Part of the reason the start of this season was so miserable was that all of the quote-unquote “X-Factors” had failed to be, well, anything. TJ Shannon has been dreadful outside of an OK stretch recently that included that highlight steal. Jaylen Clark has the offensive consistency of a Katamari ball trying to pick up objects slightly too large for it. Rob Dillingham isn’t even on the team anymore!!

God, it gets worse. Bones Hyland is the only good surprise from this year’s starting roster, and it took months for Finch to even explore using him.

Hope is such a wonderful thing in basketball, and the Wolves had so little to hope for that it didn’t feel like the same thing all over again.

That’s what Ayo is. He is the Superman S. He is Driving Ms. Daisy. He is smiling in the sunlight.

Is that dramatic? Maybe, but why not be dramatic? For someone who was brought in as a replacement for the vibes and skillset that left when Nickeil Alexander-Walker travelled over to Atlanta, Ayo has been lovable as his own player.

What a player he is. A shooting guard who can play just enough point guard, a rebounder who flies down the court, and a tenacious defender despite his size. What a player, man, what a player.

He was not, however, the only player on the court tonight. Rudy Gobert had an excellent game. In a Wemby-less world (and for some of you, even in this world), he would be the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year once again. Instead, he’ll have to settle for being arguably the best center in Wolves history behind… Nikola Peković?

Despite the joking, tonight was the opposite of the Peković era Wolves or even of the Wolves of 2025’s winter start. They were balanced. While plus/minus is one of the most disingenuous stats out there, that column is greener than the true jerseys tonight.

So much has changed. The only thing buoying the early-season Wolves was their comparatively incredible injury luck. Now, even with all the outages and injuries to handle, the team feels like they’re in a much, much better place. They are now hitting their stride at the perfect time and are slated to face the Denver Nuggets for another matchup while they struggle to find any rhythm.

This has been who Minnesota has been for the past two years now. Maybe I’ll learn the lesson, not to worry so much in December when April is a mile away. Maybe I won’t, sports are a reactionary thing after all. But what is abundantly clear is that the Wolves always hit their stride in the months just before the games become even more serious. That is a sign of good coaching. It’s a sign of good roster management. Maybe it’s even a sign of a team that will, eventually, find its way over the hump.

Tonight, however, is just a regular-season matchup against a bad team. The Dallas Mavericks are not a real test of strength. That will come soon. If you all remember NAW’s coming out moment, his arrival into our collective hearts, then you should probably start clearing up the weeds for Ayo to take his own spot in the neighborhood.

Goodnight Wolves fans. Happy Monday. What a way to start the week. Nature calls.


Up Next

The Timberwolves get a couple of days off before taking on the Detroit Pistons on Thursday for the second time in three games. The Wolves struggled mightily against the Pistons last Saturday, putting up just 87 points without Edwards, McDaniels, or Dosunmu in the lineup.

Thursday’s game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM CT, airing on Amazon Prime Video.

Highlights

Injury Update: Dillon Brooks set to return on Tuesday

TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 13: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on while sitting on the bench due to injury as his team against the Toronto Raptors during the first half in their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on March 13, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) | Getty Images

One of the defining traits of this Phoenix Suns team this season has been the personalities that shape it, the voices and energy that give it an identity night to night. And when you talk about the soul of this team, you do not have to search very hard to land on Dillon Brooks. He sets the tone. He brings the edge. He is the emotional current that runs through everything they do.

It has been a career year for Brooks. He is putting up 20.9 points in 30.6 minutes, adding 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and shooting 44% from the field. The production is there, but it is more than numbers. It is how he plays, how he competes, how he drags the team into the fight with him. And for more than a month now, that presence has been missing after he injured his left hand on February 21, only seven minutes into the game against Orlando.

Now, for the first time since that night, there is a shift. The injury designation no longer carries that same finality. Dillon Brooks is returning tomorrow night against the Magic, the very team he hurt his hand against.

It has not been an easy road. Surgery on his left hand, specifically the knuckle, put him on the sideline while the team tried to navigate a stretch filled with injuries across the roster. In the 50 games Brooks has played, the Suns are 30–20. Without him, things have been far less stable, the identity harder to hold onto, the edge harder to find. The team is 12-13 without him this year.

And now, with the postseason approaching, with a Play-In game looming at home, the timing matters. The corner has been turned. Phoenix is about to have its soul back on the floor, and that arrival could line up with the moment they need it most.


Lakers vs. Cavaliers Preview: Playoff teams going at it

The Lakers (48-26) are back at it on Tuesday against the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers (47-28).

L.A. looks to extend their winning streak to four in a row and split the season series with Cleveland.

Start time and TV schedule

Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

When: 7:30 p.m. PT, Mar 31

Where: Crypto.com Arena

Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet


The Lakers took care of business on Monday night by putting the Washington Wizards to bed early. Because of that, they’re better equipped to take on the Cavaliers, who will also be on the second night of a back-to-back after defeating the Utah Jazz on the road.

For the Cavs, they’re still fighting for playoff positioning, given that they’re just a game behind the New York Knicks, who are currently on a losing streak. So there’s no doubt that Cleveland will bring it on Tuesday because they want that third seed in the Eastern Conference while the Lakers look to maintain the third spot in their own conference.

The good news for the purple and gold is that Luka Dončić will suit up in this one after serving his one-game suspension on Monday. Dončić, who will be coming off three days of rest, will have fresh legs, so it’s fair to expect him to carry a big load as usual. Meanwhile, Cleveland will have Jarrett Allen, who sat against the Jazz surely with an eye on Tuesday’s game in LA.

That said, this is the perfect opportunity for the Lakers to see how they do against an above-average team. If anything, it’s a match that could prepare them against the Oklahoma City Thunder, whom they face on the road right after.

The Lakers will go up against a Cavaliers team that is not only led by two dynamic All-Star guards in Donovan Mitchell and James Harden but has the sixth-best offensive rating in the league. Although the Cavs’ defense has been a weakness, their offense is capable enough to combat it, especially on a good day. L.A.’s perimeter defense will obviously be tested in this one and it’s going to be interesting to see how JJ Redick gameplans for it.

Note that the Cavs also average the fourth most paint touches in the league as well (26.2) and that’s not a surprise given that they employ Allen and Evan Mobley. They’re not an ideal matchup for the Lakers, as proven by the Cavs’ three-game winning streak against them dating back to 2024.

But in the lone game between both teams this season, L.A. caught a good shooting night from Jaylon Tyson and De’Andre Hunter. The latter is no longer employed by the Cavs and the former is out injured. The Lakers also weren’t playing their best basketball, contrary to now, and Harden was not a Cavalier yet.

So this is pretty much feels like both teams are seeing each other for the first time this season. It comes in a crucial time of the year, though, where both playoff teams have to look out for their overall record. Suffice it to say that this one should be competitive.

Let’s see if the Lakers can come out of it with the victory.

Notes and Updates

  • Since both teams are going to play on the second night of a back-to-back, there won’t be an injury report until hours before tipoff.

You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.

Spurs overcome slow start to run past Bulls at home

SAN ANTONIO, TX -MARCH 30: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots and scores over Guerschon Yabusele #28 of the Chicago Bulls in the second half at Frost Bank Center on March 30, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The first few minutes felt uneasy, like a storm quietly building. The San Antonio Spurs weren’t sharp out of the gate. The Chicago Bulls came in swinging, pushing the tempo and landing early blows that made the Frost Bank Center crowd shift in their seats.

But then, as he so often does, Victor Wembanyama changed everything.

It didn’t happen all at once. It never really does. First came a rebound — high above everyone else. Then a quick putback. A step-back jumper. A block that sent the ball, and the crowd, into the air. Within minutes, the uneasiness was gone, replaced by a growing realization: This was about to be his night.

By the end of the first quarter, the rhythm had shifted. By the second, it belonged entirely to San Antonio.

“A sense of urgency and sharpness,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said of what he was looking for in his early timeout a minute into the game. “I thought we got it at times and we responded out of halftime. We didn’t sustain it as long as I’d wish or that I know we’re capable of.”

“There’s definitely areas we need to shore up and get consistent in,” Johnson added. “I’m always looking for teaching moments. We’re winning games and that feedback can be misleading… the standard and level of play we know we’re capable of must be acknowledged.”

Wembanyama was everywhere: gliding through defenders, stretching the floor, controlling the glass. The Bulls had no answer, only reactions. And each reaction came a step too late. As the Spurs surged ahead, the game began to tilt, then lean, then finally tip all the way over.

Still, this wasn’t a one-man show, it just felt like one at times.

Stephon Castle moved through the chaos with calm precision, threading passes, attacking gaps, and doing a little bit of everything. Each assist, each rebound, each bucket added another layer to a Spurs offense that was suddenly humming with its usual routine.

By halftime, the tension was gone. In its place: control. The second half opened the way the first one ended, with Wembanyama asserting himself. A quick burst pushed the lead beyond 20, and just like that, any lingering hope from Chicago began to fade. They fought back in spurts — a run here, a couple of tough shots there — but every push was met with an answer.

And more often than not, that answer wore No. 1. By the fourth quarter, the outcome was no longer in doubt. The Spurs weren’t just winning, they were dictating. The pace, the space, the moment.

“We’re preparing for something that only a few of us have been a part of,” Spurs forward Keldon Johnson said. “How we started today is unacceptable. We need to continue to impose our will on teams and push our best effort forward.”

When the final buzzer sounded on a 129-114 victory, it felt less like the end of a game and more like the continuation of something building and that something is going to be very dangerous. When the Spurs find their rhythm and their young star turns dominance into routine, it’s easy to see the bigger picture forming in real time.

And it’s even harder to imagine anyone stopping it.

Game Notes

  • With OKC’s narrow win against an undermanned Detroit Pistons team, the race for the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference might come down to the final week of the season. Spurs remain 2.5 games behind OKC and have the “lighter” schedule to close out the regular season.
  • Mitch Johnson was not satisfied with his team’s effort against Chicago to start, so expect him to use these last few weeks to iron out any lingering issues with the playoffs around the corner.
  • Wembanyama and Castle combined for 62 of the Spurs’ 129 points in the win.

LeBron James records triple-double, leads Luka-less Lakers to win over Wizards

LeBron James in a yellow Lakers uniform running past fans courtside.
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) heads down court after a basket during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Crypto.com...

If there was any night for Luka Doncic to not be available for as he served a one-game suspension for an accumulation of technical fouls, and any games the Lakers didn’t need him, Monday was the night.

Because even with Doncic being an MVP candidate and playing his best basketball of the season over the last month, the Lakers didn’t need him to take care of business against the tanking and lowly Wizards.

It was evident in the Lakers’ 120-101 victory on Monday at Crypto.com Arena during a game in which contributions from throughout the roster led the team to its 15th win in the last 17 games despite Doncic not playing.

LeBron James led the Lakers with a 21 point-12 assist-10 rebound triple-double, surpsssing his own record as the oldest player in league history to record a triple-double.

Tasked with more ball-handling duties, Austin Reaves struggled with his shot (4 of 11, 0 of 4 on 3-pointers) but made up for it with his inside the arc scoring and playmaking, finishing with 19 points and nine assists in 27 minutes.

Luke Kennard (19 points), Jaxson Hayes (19 points, seven rebounds and 2 blocked shots), Rui Hachimura (14 points, 6 rebounds) and Deandre Ayton (12 points on 5-of-5 shooting to go with 7 rebounds and 3 blocked shots) also scored in double figures.

LeBron James led the Lakers with a 21 point-12 assist-10 rebound triple-double. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Deandre Ayton dunks. NBAE via Getty Images

The Lakers shot 55.7% (44 of 79) against the Wizards, who are tied with the Pacers for the league’s worst record.

What it means

The Lakers improved to 49-26 on the season with Monday’s victory. 

But with the Suns also beating Grizzlies, the Lakers have yet to officially clinch a spot in the playoffs and win the Pacific Division. 

Jake LaRavia fights for to a rebound during the first half.  Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Turning point

There were two.

The first came when Jaxson Hayes dunked in transition at the 9:25 mark of the second quarter, cutting the Lakers’ deficit to 31-29 after a slower start. The play energized the Lakers on a night they lacked energy early, starting an 11-0 run.

The second was when James passed to Bronny James, his son who’s been getting rotation minutes the last few games, with the shot clock winding down late in the third quarter. 

The younger James drove into the paint off the pass from his father, kicking out to Luke Kennard for a corner 3 to put the Lakers up 84-71 after the Wizards cut the Lakers’ 24-point lead earlier in the quarter to 10 multiple times.  

Backup center Jaxson Hayes shot a perfect 8 of 8 from the field. Getty Images

MVP: Jaxson Hayes

It’s rare for a backup center to receive this honor. 

And Hayes’ counting stats weren’t the best among the Lakers. But he injected the Lakers with an energy that they lacked early. 

He shot a perfect 8 of 8 from the field.

The cherry on top: Hayes made his third 3-pointer of the season midway through the fourth. 

Stat of the game: 1,228

That’s how many combined regular-season and playoff wins James has after Monday’s victory, which is tied for the most in league history with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Already the league’s all-time leader in games played, Monday was James’ 1,044th regular-season win, 30 away from Abdul-Jabbar’s record.

But James’ league-record 184 playoff victories helped him tie Abdul-Jabbar’s combined regular season and postseason record.

James would’ve already surpassed Abdul-Jabbar in combined victories if the league counted his three play-in tournament wins and 202 NBA Cup final victory. 

Austin Reaves was finished with 19 points and nine assists in 27 minutes. NBAE via Getty Images

Up next

The Lakers will close out their back-to-back set when they Cavaliers on Tuesday.

The Cavaliers are also playing on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the Jazz in Salt Lake City for their sixth win in their last seven games.


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No Luka Doncic, no problem for LeBron James and Lakers in blowout win

Lakers star LeBron James passes to his son, guard Bronny James against the Wizards at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers star LeBron James passes to his son, guard Bronny James during a 120-101 win over the Washington Wizards at Crypto.com Arena on Monday night. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Lakers followed the lead of their oldest member, the triple-double producing LeBron James, in dispatching the Wizards 120-101 at Crypto.com Arena on Monday night.

Two days off between games left James looking spry, with lob dunks and dunks on the fast break contributing to his 21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. James was eight for 16 from the field in notching his third triple-double of the season and the 125th of his 23-year NBA career, ranking him fifth all time.

At 41 years and 90 days old, James once again became the oldest player in league history to record a triple-double, passing his previous mark (41 years, 79 days).

Lakers star LeBron James dunks against Washington at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers star LeBron James dunks against Washington at Crypto.com Arena on Monday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

For James and his teammates, Sunday’s practice had “value” because it allowed them to clean up some things, do some “teaching” and get some “reps” that will pay off with the playoffs approaching.

They put that into action against the Wizards, but the Lakers did so without star guard Luka Doncic, who did not play after being given a one-game suspension by the NBA for his 16th technical foul.

Austin Reaves took over the primarily ballhandling duties with Doncic out, running the show in delivering a near double-double with 19 points and nine assists. Reaves was just four for 11 from the field and he missed all four of his three-point attempts, but he was 11 for 12 from the line.

Backup center Jaxson Hayes was outstanding in scoring 19 points on eight-for-eight shooting, including a three-pointer with six minutes and 41 seconds left.

Luke Kennard had 19 points off the bench, knocking down four of five from three-point range.

Deandre Ayton was a force for the Lakers, his efficient five-for-five shooting leading to 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

Each of them played their part to help the Lakers win for the 12th time in 13 games and limit the effect of Doncic's absence.

Doncic leads the NBA in scoring (33.7 points per game), is fourth in assists (8.2), second three-pointers made (4.0) and first in points scored in the first quarter (12.0).

He’ll return against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night.

Although the Lakers won handily, it was against a Wizards team tied for the worst record in the NBA (17-58). Washington has lost 18 of its past 19 games.

Read more:Lakers hope two-day 'reset' will refresh them for final stretch of the season

For the Lakers (49-26), the game was about making strides from a practice they rarely get to have.

“The value is being able to continue to improve,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said before the game. “And again, I said this, we've placed a heavy emphasis on what we're teaching in film and what we're cleaning up in film, because we haven't had court time to do that. So [Sunday], it was some of the game clean-up stuff. All the guys got some reps doing some things that they probably won't do during a real game."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

With Luka Doncic suspended, LeBron James' triple-double powers Lakers to 120-101 win over Wizards

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James had 21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, Austin Reaves added 19 points and nine assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers rolled to a 120-101 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday night.

It was James’ 1,228th career victory, including the playoffs, to tie Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most in NBA history.

With Luka Doncic serving a one-game suspension after getting called for his 16th technical foul of the season against Brooklyn on Friday, an energized James led the Lakers to their 12th win in the past 13 games, attacking the rim from the start including throwing down two emphatic two-handed dunks set up by Reaves in the first quarter.

Luke Kennard and Jaxson Hayes each had 19 points off the bench, Deandre Ayton chipped in with 12, and the Lakers improved to 7-6 without Doncic in the lineup this season.

Los Angeles would have clinched a playoff berth and the Pacific Division title with the win and a Phoenix loss, but the Suns’ 131-105 victory over Memphis delayed the formality of securing a fourth straight trip to the postseason.

Will Riley led the Wizards with 20 points and Justin Champagnie had 18 as they lost for the 19th time in 20 games.

Washington was actually ahead by one point after the first quarter, but Hayes had the final five in an 11-0 flurry early that gave Los Angeles a lead they would not relinquish again. The Lakers closed the half on a 38-13 run and took a 21-point lead back to the locker room.

James helped quiet the Wizards for good after they cut the deficit to 10 late in the third, finishing with his third triple-double of the season and 125th in the regular season of his 23-year career.

Wizards: Host Philadelphia on Wednesday.

Lakers: Host Cleveland on Tuesday.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Player Grades: Recapping Mavericks vs. Wolves

DALLAS, TEXAS - MARCH 30: Khris Middleton #20 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at American Airlines Center on March 30, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks kicked off the first game of a back-to-back Monday night, with their first opponent being the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves got the better end of a 124-94 decision.

Let’s get to the grades!

Ryan Nembhard: C+

8 PTS / 3 REB / 5 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 20 MIN

Like so many other Mavs not named Daniel Gafford, Nembhard could not find the range, connecting on only 3-for-10 shots overall. He had one of those magical assist nights relative to minutes played and turnovers (zero), but nothing special was happening for him tonight.

Max Christie: C-

3 PTS / 4 REB / 0 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 28 MIN

About the only thing going for Christie Monday night was his rebounding. Getting four boards from the guard spot isn’t too shabby, but it still wasn’t enough to pretty up a 1-for-5 shooting night and not much else.

Cooper Flagg: C

12 PTS / 4 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 2 BLK – 31 MIN

Flagg will likely be happy the Mavs are on the first night of a back-to-back, so he can forget this one and move on. Connecting on only 5-for-19 overall, Flagg had a shocking plus/minus of minus-35. It just simply was not his night.

Khris Middleton: C+

9 PTS / 6 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 23 MIN

Middleton struggled with his shot (4-for-10) and had an insane five turnovers. He managed to chip in a bit just about everywhere else, but this wasn’t his best night by any stretch of the imagination.

Daniel Gafford: B+

21 PTS / 8 REB / 2 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK – 24 MIN

Gafford has been playing well over the last month or so, and tonight was no exception. Despite sitting out the last two games, Gafford looked like he was in peak form and was by far the best player for Dallas Monday night. He picked up a nice handful of fouls (four), and bricked a staggering number of free throws (3-for-8 from the charity stripe) but otherwise played well on 9-for-11 shooting, coming just short of a double-double.

Dwight Powell: B

9 PTS / 8 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 23 MIN

Powell had himself a solid night, tying for the team lead in rebounds. He brought the energy he is well known for at this point in his career and even played solid defense at points. The most noteworthy part of his night is how he got his points. 9-for-10 from the free throw line and zero shot attempts may be an NBA first. If not, it’s certainly a bizarrely anomalous night.

Brandon Williams: B

15 PTS / 6 REB / 7 AST / 2 STL / 0 BLK – 28 MIN

His 4-for-10 shooting may have stood out as sub-par if nearly everyone else on the team wasn’t worse. Despite iffy shooting, Williams hit all six of his free throw attempts and dished a team-high assist total.

Final thoughts

The Mavs hung around for a fair bit of the game, but things really came unglued in the third quarter where a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it span resulted in the Mavs looking at a 24-point deficit by the midway point of the quarter. Things only got worse from there. The three ball and fast breaks really did them in and the thin lineup (missing P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall) didn’t give the Mavs much chance to stem the tide.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.

Lakers cruise past Wizards without Luka Dončić

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 30: Jaxson Hayes #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 30, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

After a sloppy first quarter, the Lakers pulled away for a comfortable win against the Wizards without Luka Dončić on Monday, 120-101.

With Luka serving his one-game suspension after receiving his 16th technical foul, Austin Reaves and LeBron James stepped up, along with the Lakers’ centers. LA also crushed the Wizards in transition, outscoring them 21-6 in fastbreak points.

The game began with the Lakers going on a 6-0 scoring run, led by LeBron James. Tristan Vukcevic was the hot hand for the Wizards with seven points in response. Austin Reaves hadn’t scored yet but had three assists, including a ridiculous tapped alley-oop pass to LeBron for a dunk. 

At the 6:28 mark, Washington led by one. 

LeBron slammed yet another dunk off an assist from Reaves for his eighth point. Justin Champagnie logged a quick five points for the Wizards. At the 2:53 mark, LA was up by four. 

Luke Kennard provided a nice spark off the bench with four points. Los Angeles played a lot of unserious basketball in the quarter, though, with zero defense. As a result, at the end of the first, the purple and gold were down by one. 

The second period began with Will Riley scoring on a layup for Washington. Jaxson Hayes, who had eight points in this quarter, followed up a missed 3-pointer from Bronny James with a putback dunk.

That jump-started a big 11-0 scoring run to retake the lead. 

Out of a timeout, Jamir Watkins stopped some of Washington’s bleeding with a layup. Reaves finally saw the ball go into the basket with a jumper. LeBron then slammed home what felt like the 50th dunk of the half. 

At the 5:30 mark, Los Angeles was up by 10.

Rui Hachimura scored a quick five points. Reaves was now up to nine assists in the half. The Lakers were shooting 59% from the field and led by 21 at halftime. 

The third period began with Champagnie converting on a floater off the glass for the Wizards. On the other end, Ayton responded with a dunk. LA maintained a big lead, but Washington started to chip away at the deficit thanks to a few defensive breakdowns by Los Angeles. 

Washington was chipping away at the deficit, going on a 12-2 scoring run. The Lakers found themselves nursing a 10-point lead with 2:43 left in the quarter. 

Kennard drained two much-needed triples for LA. At the end of the third, Los Angeles was up by 14. 

The final frame started with a turnover and a few missed shots, until Hayes converted on a three-point play. The Lakers regained a 20-point lead. 

LA’s two bigs were a combined perfect 12-for-12 from the field. Hayes drained a 3-pointer, his third 3-pointer of the season. Kennard then scored six in a row to seal the win with 5:49 left and empty the bench for LA.

Key Player Stats

LeBron finished with a triple-double of 21 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Reaves ended with 19 points and nine assists. Deandre Ayton scored 12 points with seven rebounds and three blocks. 

Hachimura pitched in with 14 points and six rebounds. Hayes logged 19 points with seven rebounds and two blocks. Kennard had 19 points off the bench. LaRavia did the dirty work with three rebounds, two assists and three steals and one block.

The Lakers’ next matchup will be against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday at 7:30 PM PT.

You can follow Karin on Twitter at @KarinAbcarians.